Month: November 2018

A New Yorker’s Idea of the USA, 1937

On: By: Romeyn

This humorous pictorial map of the United States takes the perspective of a New Yorker, with New York State shown in oversized proportion to the entire country. Some place names throughout the states are incorrect, for example, Minneapolis and Indianapolis are humorously shown together in Michigan as “The Twin Cities.” Decorative details include ships in the oceans, and various views in the borders such as the Empire State Building and a Fifth Avenue Coach bus. Explanatory texts are in two insets on the left. Compass rose on left corner of map oriented with the north to upper left. Location of 1939, New York World’s Fair grounds shown in Queens, New York. (David Rumsey Historical Map Collection)

Palace of the Soviets, 1934

On: By: Romeyn

Cutaway view of the “Palace of the Soviets”, Moscow, concept by Boris Iofan. The Palace of the Soviets was to be an administrative center and congressional hall located in Moscow. It would have become the world’s tallest structure of its time. Construction started in 1937 and was terminated by the German invasion in 1941. During the war, its steel frame was disassembled for use in the war effort. It was never completed.